GBP/USD eases from daily high, still well bid around 1.1050 area as traders await FOMC minutes
|- mixed signals about BoE's bond-buying program prompt some short-covering around GBP/USD.
- Subdued USD price action provides an additional lift, though the uptick lacks bullish conviction.
- Investors now look to FOMC minutes for a fresh impetus ahead of the US CPI report on Thursday.
The GBP/USD pair stages a goodish bounce from the 1.0925 area, or a nearly two-week low set earlier this Wednesday and snaps a five-day losing streak. Spot prices, however, struggle to capitalize on the move and retreat around 40-50 pips from the vicinity of the 1.1100 round-figure mark.
The British pound attracts some buyers amid reports that the Bank might be willing to extend its purchases beyond Friday and prompts short-covering around the GBP/USD pair. This, along with subdued US dollar price action, offers additional support to the major. That said, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey said on Tuesday that the central bank will stop buying UK government bonds on October 14. Apart from this, the dismal UK macro data contributes to capping the upside for the major.
The UK Office for National Statistics reported that the economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.3% in August, reinforcing the BoE's prediction for a recession this year. Furthermore, expectations that the Fed will continue to tighten its monetary policy at a faster pace to tame inflation acts as a tailwind for the greenback. This further holds back traders from placing bullish bets around the GBP/USD pair ahead of the crucial FOMC meeting minutes, due later during the US session.
The focus will then shift to the latest US consumer inflation figures on Thursday, which should play a key role in influencing the Fed's future rate-hike path. This, in turn, will drive the USD demand in the near term and provide a fresh directional impetus to the GBP/USD pair. In the meantime, elevated US Treasury bond yields might underpin the greenback and continue to keep a lid on any meaningful gains for the major amid concerns about the UK government's fiscal plans.
Technical levels to watch
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers.